Teaching Assistant

Every member of our team contributes to creating an environment where students feel supported, challenged, and celebrated for their progress.

See the Impact of Your Work

As a Teaching Assistant, you'll work directly with students throughout the school day—supporting classroom instruction, reinforcing new skills, encouraging positive behaviors, and helping students build confidence and independence.

You may help a student communicate a need for the first time, master a challenging academic concept, develop a social skill, or gain greater independence with daily living tasks. These moments may seem small, but they can have a lasting impact on a student's future.

At Easterseals Learning Academy, progress is measured one step at a time, and every member of the classroom team plays an important role in helping students succeed.

Watch this short video to learn more about the impact Easterseals has in our communities.

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What We're Looking For

• We're looking for individuals who are patient, dependable, and passionate about helping students succeed. The ideal candidate:
• Enjoys working with children and young adults with diverse learning needs
• Demonstrates patience, empathy, and a positive attitude
• Can provide encouragement while maintaining structure and consistency
• Works collaboratively with teachers, therapists, and support staff
• Is adaptable and comfortable responding to the changing needs of students throughout the day
• Takes initiative while also seeking guidance when needed
• Values creating an inclusive and supportive learning environment

Experience in special education, education, human services, behavioral health, childcare, or related fields is beneficial but not required. We welcome individuals who are eager to learn and grow within a supportive team environment.

You'll Thrive in This Role If...

The best Teaching Assistants aren't necessarily those with the most experience—they're the ones who show up each day with patience, flexibility, and a genuine desire to help students succeed.

You'll likely enjoy this role if you

• Believe every student deserves the opportunity to learn and grow
• Enjoy building positive relationships and celebrating student successes
• Are patient and resilient when faced with challenges
• Like being active and engaged throughout the day rather than sitting behind a desk
• Work well with others and enjoy being part of a supportive team
• Can adapt to changing student needs and classroom priorities
• Find purpose in helping others become more independent and confident

Many of our successful Teaching Assistants come from backgrounds in education, childcare, behavioral health, direct support, psychology, social work, therapy services, and other helping professions. Just as important as experience is a willingness to learn and a commitment to supporting students with compassion and consistency.

Why Work for Easterseals?

• At Easterseals, every role contributes to our mission of helping children and families reach their fullest potential. As a Teaching Assistant, you'll find:
• Meaningful work that makes a difference in students' lives
• A collaborative team environment with educators, therapists, and support professionals
• Opportunities to develop skills in special education, behavior support, and student engagement
• Paid training and professional development opportunities
• A school calendar schedule with built-in breaks throughout the year
• The chance to be part of a mission-driven organization dedicated to serving children and families in our community

Your support helps students build the confidence, independence, and skills they need for success—both inside and outside the classroom.

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Position Objective

The Teaching Assistant supports the teacher in providing designed instruction and educational programs for children who have a primary educational diagnosis of Autism, intellectual Disability, or other health impairment.

Job Functions

• Completes paperwork such as attendance, weekly schedule, requisitions, and other required forms accurately, promptly, and according to ESLA procedures.
• Understands, documents, and assists with any classroom or individual behavior management plans.
• Performs day-to-day operations of the job showing self-confidence and independence.
• Seeks consultation or guidance from the Teacher in unfamiliar situations, as needed.
• Assists Teacher in routine paperwork and with making and preparing materials for classroom activities.
• Develops an awareness of each student’s special needs; becomes familiar with student records and information.
• Establishes priorities to complete work, meet deadlines, and be prepared for class each day.
• Able to be reassigned as the need arises.
• Conducts lessons with guidance and training from the teacher.
• Supports student learning by answering questions, modeling or demonstrating skills, and participating in classroom discussions.
• Provides re-teaching, guided practice, and assistance with assignments/tests/tasks to promote the acquisition of new skills.
• Addresses specific functional or academic needs through modified activities, environmental accommodations, and adaptation.
• Supports the development of students’ health and self-care by modeling, prompting, and positively reinforcing independence and self-care skills.

Marginal Responsibilities

• Supervises students during lunch, bathroom, and transitions outside of the classroom.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Education/Experience Requirements
• Successful completion of 60 semester hours of college credit from an accredited institution of higher education OR
• Successful completion of the paraprofessional examination approved by Illinois State Board of Education.
• Experience in special education, preferred.
• Registered Behavior Technician certification or willingness to complete training.
• Receive training and pass competency tests in Crisis Prevention Intervention.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Working knowledge of personal computers and software (MS Office Suite).

• Competency Requirements
• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards rules and regulations, notice, and comment on desirable aspects of student behavior, and demonstrate good humor and a reasonable sense of self-control over situations.
• Maintain a high level of respect and professionalism for staff, parents, and community members at all times.
• Maintain confidential information to safeguard clients and families.
• Responsible for keeping resources and client files in order.

Physical Requirements

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Must have visual ability sufficient to read and complete written correspondence, reports, etc., and computer screen information.
• Frequent use of hands to grasp, handle or feel.
• Regular standing, walking, sitting, and reaching.
• Occasionally lift and/or carry up to fifty (50) pounds.
• Engages in physical restraint of students, as necessary.
• Ability to drive a personal vehicle to meetings and service sites.

• Work Environment
• Primarily operates in school environments with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature.
• Routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.

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Compensation and Benefits

• Expected pay for this position is $17.00 to $19.00/hour. Actual pay will be determined by experience, skills and internal equity. Easterseals staff have access to a well-rounded benefits package and additional perks, such as:
• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO)
• Sick and Personal time
• 10 Paid Holidays throughout the year
• Event Days: Earn additional PTO hours if you volunteer with us
• All time off is in addition to Thanksgiving Break, Winter Break, Easter/Spring Break, and Summer Break
• Comprehensive Group Health Insurance
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Long-Term Disability, Accident, Critical Illness, and Hospital Indemnity Coverage
• Life Insurance: Both Employer Paid and Employee Paid options available
• 401(K) with employer match
• Professional Development & CEU Allowance
• Easterseals qualifies for the Public Student Loan Forgiveness program

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Easterseals Central Illinois is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. Easterseals is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, call 309.686.1177.